President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a high-level Federal Government delegation to Minna, Niger State, to commiserate with the government and people of the state following the devastating floods that ravaged Mokwa and its environs.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of over 150 lives, displacement of residents, and extensive destruction of property.
The delegation comprises the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
During a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Idris, conveyed Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state over the flood disaster.
The minister noted that the President was deeply saddened by the tragic incident and stands in solidarity with all those affected.
He said: “We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State particularly the Governor and officials of the state government to commiserate with you; to sympathize and empathize with you on what has happened in Mokwa Local Government Area.
“Mr. President is personally saddened by this and yesterday he directed that every available resources of the Federal Government should be deployed to Mokwa and that’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affair.”
He stated that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has already carried out a comprehensive assessment of the situation and has mobilized its resources to deliver immediate relief and support to the affected communities.
Idris added: “We are aware that they (NEMA) have been collaborating with the state government to ensure seamless operations. They also ensured that those who have lost their lives; the bodies are respectfully recovered; those who have sustained various degrees of injuries are attended to and every requirement that the government needs to put together are in place to ensure succour is being provided for those our brothers and sisters in Mokwa.”
He stated that the President expressed deep concern over the scale of the disaster, particularly as it comes barely a year after a similar incident caused widespread devastation in several communities across Niger State.
He noted that the government is working diligently to ensure that, in the event of similar occurrences in the future, adequate measures and preparedness are in place to effectively mitigate their impact.
The minister stated that the President has also directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to collaborate with state governments across the country to intensify public sensitisation efforts, particularly in communities situated around flood plains, to ensure residents heed early warning signs and take appropriate preventive measures.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrence, especially all those living around the areas where this kind of disaster is prone to happen,” he said.
Idris also commended the Niger State Government and its agencies for its swift response to the disaster.
In his remarks, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Yilwatda, said the government is looking at areas of additional support for the displaced persons.
He stated that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons has been directed to take over from NEMA in providing continued care and support to those displaced by the disaster.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for its prompt and compassionate response to the devastating floods.
He thanked President Tinubu for the rapid intervention by during the disaster, describing the response as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in times of crisis.
Garba said the people of Niger State are devastated by the scale of destruction in the Mokwa floods.
He reported that, so far, 151 bodies have been recovered and laid to rest. A total of 503 households and 264 houses have been affected across three communities, while 3,018 individuals have been displaced.
Additionally, several township roads and three major bridges in Mokwa and Raba have been destroyed by the floods, severely impacting access and mobility in the affected areas.
